What’s the Preferred Method for Vincristine Administration When Treating a Patient With Lymphoma or Leukemia?

Answer

The answer is C. Gravity drip using an IV minibag. Vincristine is fatal if given intrathecally. 

Vincas should always be administered through minibags to avoid wrong route errors and to gravity when given through a peripheral line. 

Options A and B are not correct, as using a syringe increases the likelihood that the medication might inadvertently be given intrathecally, a potentially fatal error.

D is incorrect as infusion pumps should not be used to administer vesicants through a peripheral line. 

Refer to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Just Bag It campaign for additional details (https://www.nccn.org/justbagit/) and the article “New Recommendations Call for Bagged Vinca Alkaloids (https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/new-recommendations-call-for-bagged-vinca-alkaloids)” from ONS.